‘I feel so at home here’

D omestic goddess Nigella Lawson is back to put

Masterchef contestants through their paces for a third time. Here, she talks about her favourite food, chefs and places in her “second home” Australia.

What’s it like being back on the show?

It’s such a joy to be back on Masterchef. I feel so at home there. It’s as if I’ve never been away!

If you could take only one of the Masterchef judges out for dinner, who would it be and why?

You can’t make me choose like that! And anyway, they’re such a hoot all together. I like being with my Aussie band of brothers.

Have you had a chance to explore Australia?

Well, I did travel a bit in Australia after Masterchef. I went to Tasmania – I’d been longing to go – and to Woy Woy and Killcare on the Central Coast. It was all fabulous!

Where are your favourite places to dine in Melbourne?

I always love eating in George’s [Calombaris] restaurants. The first thing I do when I hit town is go out for a plate of his garlicky chips with oregano and fetta and some white taramasalata on the side. I actually don’t go out to eat much when filming Masterchef, as I eat so much while there – but if there’s time, it’s always wonderful to go to Cumulus Inc.

Who has impressed you on the Australian food front?

When I was in Tasmania, I was completely blown away by Analiese Gregory at Franklin [in Hobart]. And in Sydney, I think Josh Niland of Saint Peter is really doing something special.